Page 3 of 3 · complaints 101–137 of 137

2013 Toyota Avalon complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2013 record →

Electrical System
Filed Apr 22, 201414,200 milesGA

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 6, 2014 AND EVERY TIME I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY HVAC ASSEMBLY REPAIRED THEY TELL ME THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PUTTING ME AND MY SAFETY AT RISK BY NOT PRODUCING A FIX FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 201424,000 milesFL

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SUDDEN BRAKING IN FRONT OF ME REQUIRED QUICK BRAKING. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, NO BRAKES ACTIVATED AND THE CAR ACTUALLY SEEMED TO INCREASE SPEED. I THEN APPLIED HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO SCREECH/SLIDE BEFORE THE ABS ACTIVATED. THE SUDDEN BRAKING INCIDENT CAUSED ME TO FEAR NOT ONLY BEING REAR ENDED, BUT ALSO, RAMMING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. VERY UNSETTLING AND I NOW HAVE MUCH LESS CONFIDENCE IN TOYOTA'S TOP OF THE LINE SEDAN. I AM GOING TO LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TODAY AS THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY, APRIL 16, 2014.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 19, 2014200,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 11, 2014NY

2013 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. AS HE MADE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RESPOND AND INSTEAD OF SNAPPING BACK INTO A 12 O'CLOCK POSITION, IT STAYED LOCKED INTO THE TURN. HE COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE. AS HE LOOKED UP, HE SAW HE WAS ABOUT TO CRASH INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. WITH NO TIME TO REACT, HE HIT THE ONCOMING VEHICLE, IN A FRONT END COLLISION. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, HE WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 15 MPH. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AND A BUMP ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD, WHEN HE HIT THE ROOF ON IMPACT AND THE CONSUMER SUFFERED WHIPLASH. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME NOISE A BEFORE, RIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. TOYOTA CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB UPDATED 04/07/14

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Mar 6, 20141,415 milesNM

BRAKES WERE APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY ALTHOUGH DRIVER WAS ACCELERATING. SUSPECT MALFUNCTION IN PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM (NO COLLISION WAS IMMINENT). *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 5, 2014NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT) BUT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT MAKE THE PARTS AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2014850 milesFL

I STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT FELT THE CAR ACCELERATE AND START TO GO FORWARD. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. WHEN I TRIED TO RETURN TO DRIVE THE CAR JUMPED A FOOT.I STILL HAD MY FOOT PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE. I WENT BACK TO NEUTRAL. BY THAT TIME THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I WENT TO DRIVE AND THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THE CAR IS 7 MONTHS OLD AND THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.I WENT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER 4 HOURS I WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.ONE OF THE MECHANICS SAID :IT'S FUNNYTOF ALL THE COMPLAINTS WE GET OF THIS NATURE WECANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG,EVEN OUR ENGINEERS CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. THIS DISCONCERTING. WHILE NOT ADMITTING IT THEY SEEM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR GOOD REASON. CAN I PURSUE THE LEMON LAW? *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 30, 2013FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT) AND THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Dec 26, 20137,000 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS DISTORTED, CAUSING HIS VISIBILITY TO BE MINIMIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLIANT WITH STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 03/05/14*LJ *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 21, 201375 milesFL

SUNLIGHT IS REFLECTED INTO THE EYES OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER FROM THE INTERIOR TRIM. THIS BRIGHT REFLECTION NOT ONLY MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT TIMES, THE SUNLIGHT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE RETINA AND CORNEA. THE LIGHT COMES FROM MANY DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CAR SO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONSTANTLY SHIELD WITH OUR HANDS WHILE DRIVING. WE KEEP THE SUNROOF CLOSED. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE SUN IS DIRECTLY OVERHEAD OR AT AN ANGLE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY AREAS THAT REFLECT THE LIGHT. WE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. WHILE THEY INITIALLY SEEMED WILLING TO HELP, IT IS OBVIOUS FROM THEIR SILENCE, THAT THEY HOPE THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CONDITIONS SUCH AS MACULAR DEGENERATION, CATARACTS, AND PTERYGIUM, CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO BRIGHT SUNLIGHT IN THE EYES AND ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT FROM THIS CONSTANT EXPOSURE. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD CORRECT THE DESIGN FLAW IN OUR CAR. *TR

Structure
Filed Nov 6, 20137,000 milesMA

I WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH THE OTHER DAY AND WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING DRIED BY THE BLOWER, SOME WATER CAME IN THROUGH THE SUNROOF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY DID A HIGH PRESSURE WATER TEST. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS THE MATTER. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY COULD HAP[PEN WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH THE CAR WASH. I IMMEDIATELY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA AND THEY ADVISED THAT I HAVE ANOTHER DEALER LOOK AT IT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT MONDAY 11/11. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 4, 20131,700 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW BECAUSE IT WAS DISTORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.

Visibility
Filed Oct 21, 2013700 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A CONSTANT GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD, AFFECTING THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE APPROACHING VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN OPTED TO CLEAN THE DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 767. UPDATED 11/20/13*CN

Electrical System
Filed Oct 21, 2013500 milesLA

RE:REPORT RECEIPT DATE: OCT 17, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT TOYOTA NEEDS TO CORRECT THE DEFECTIVE DRAIN LINE. THE CONDENSATE THAT IS NOT DRAINING OUT OF THE EVAPORATOR IS ENCOURAGING THE GROWTH OF MOLD IN THE EVAPORATOR WITH AN ACCOMPANYING OBNOXIOUS ODOR. COULD THE MOLD BE A TOXIC MOLD? THE ROOT PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE SOLVED. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 9, 20134,200 milesNY

I HAD WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP PLAZA TOYOTA IN BROOKLYN NY TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT THE REAR HEADLINER THAT HAD BEEN COMING DOWN. I WAS TOLD THAT MY APPOINTMENT WAS TOO LATE IN THE EVENING SO I HAD TO SET AN EARLIER APPOINT WHICH WOULD BE THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AFTER THE HOLIDAY. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT ABOUT 9AM ON JULY 8TH AND PICKED IT UP ABOUT 6:30PM THAT DAY ONLY TO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ROTATED THE TIRES...WHICH WAS LAUGHABLE BECAUSE I WAS NEVER CALLED AND TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY REAR HEADLINER COULD NOT BE FIXED THAT DAY. I WAS TOLD BY MY SERVICE ADVISER THAT THEY NEEDED APPROVAL FROM THE DISTRICT MANAGER BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WERE QUITE COSTLY AND IT TAKES UP TO 30 DAYS IN MOST INSTANCES TO GET APPROVAL. I IMMEDIATELY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND NYC BBB. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME BACK IN A FEW DAYS AND ASSURED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED WHEN I CAME BACK IN THE COUNTRY FROM VACATION. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IN MID AUGUST ONLY TO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS WERE DENIED BECAUSE THE PICTURES SHOW THAT THE HEADLINER WAS TAMPERED WITH AND VOIDED THE WARRANTY. I AGAIN FILED ANOTHER COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND NYC BBB ONLY THIS TIME I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO ARBITRATION WITH NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT. I ALSO HAVE CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE DEALERSHIP VIA VOICEMAIL AND THE RESPONSE THEY GAVE BBB THAT I VOIDED THE WARRANTY. THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THIS IS WHEN THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT I H

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 7, 20131,200 milesNC

WHILE PULLING INTO A HEAD ON PARKING PLACE; SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB, CROSSED THE SIDEWALK AND THE FRONT WHEELS WENT A FOOT OR SO INTO THE GRASS. APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPPED. *TR

Seats
Filed Sep 20, 2013CA

ONE WEEK (7/11/13) AFTER PURCHASING A BRAND NEW AVALON, NOTICED A SAG IN THE HEADLINER TOWARDS THE REAR WINDSHIELD. AFTER LOOKING CLOSER, THE HEADLINER IS DROOPING TOWARDS THE REAR WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS A NOTICEABLE GAP NEAR THE MOON ROOF. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY ORDERED A NEW PART. ABOUT 8/27/13, TOOK BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE THE SEAT PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS FALLING OFF. 9/13/13, DEALER INSTALLED A NEW HEADLINER. PICKING UP ON 9/18/13 AFTER A NEW HEADLINER WAS INSTALLED, THE GAP REMAINS AT THE MOON ROOF AREA AND ONE OF THE BACK PANELS WAS NOT IN PLACE. THE DEALER WAS STILL WAITING FOR SEAT BACK PANEL PART AND WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLACE THE SEAT BACK PANEL. 9/18/13 - LEFT IT AT THE DEALER SINCE HEADLINER ISSUE IS STILL NOT RESOLVED AND THE SEAT BACK PANEL IS STILL NOT FIXED. I'M AFRAID THE CAR WILL NEVER BE LIKE NEW AND I'M AFRAID EVEN ANOTHER NEW HEADLINER WILL STILL HAVE ISSUES. I BELIEVE IT'S A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. AFTER PURCHASING IT NEW ON 7/3/13, DROOPING HEADLINER AND SEAT BACK PANEL FALLING OFF, IS NOT PRESENTABLE AND APPROPRIATE TO DRIVE SINCE I USE MY CAR FOR BUSINESS. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ENJOY MY NEW CAR AND NOW I'M DRIVING A COROLLA AS MY LOANER CAR. *TR

Structure
Filed Sep 5, 2013500 milesFL

COMPLAINT: SUN GLARE REFLECTION COMING FROM DASHBOARD, SAFETY ISSUE, SIMILAR TO NETS. ON 04/01/13, JAMES FEWEL TOYOTA NATIONAL HQ, DOCUMENTED MY DASH GLARE ISSUE UNDER FILE #[XXX]: ON 3-16-2013, WE PURCHASED A 2013 AVALON FROM COGGIN TOYOTA JACKSONVILLE. IT HAS FL LEGAL WINDOW TINTING. THE DASH'S CHROME TRIM CAUSES A GLARE ISSUE ON A SUNNY DAY, CAUSING BRIGHT GLARE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF DASHBOARD TRIM THAT IS SILVER/CHROME. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH GLARE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. WHAT IS TOYOTA'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE? ON 05/21/13, [XXX], SERVICE DIRECTOR, TOYOTA AVENUES, RESPONDED: [XXX], I FORWARDED YOUR PICTURES TO OUR TECH DEPT AS WELL AS SUBMITTED A PRODUCT QUALITY CASE. RESPONSE BACK FROM MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE CHANGED AT THIS TIME TO KEEP THE GLARE COMING OFF OF THE CHROME TRIM PANELS. THE REF FOR THE DEALER PRODUCT REPORT IS CASE # [XXX] IF YOU WISH TO CALL THE CUST SPT CENTER TO UPDATE YOUR CASE. THANK YOU, [XXX], TOYOTA AVENUES [XXX]. ON 05/22/2013 [XXX] AT TOYOTA HQ RESPONDED: [XXX], WE ARE SORRY FOR THE CONCERNS THIS CONDITION HAS CAUSED AND HAVE FORWARDED YOUR EMAIL TO A CASE MANAGER HERE IN OUR DEPT. THE CASE MANAGER WILL CONTACT YOU VIA PHONE BEFORE THE END OF BUSINESS, MAY 23, 2013. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR EMAIL AT OUR NATIONAL HQ UNDER FILE #[XXX]. ON 05/23/2013 RECEIVED A CALL FROM TOYOTA CASE MANAGER [XXX], SO I SENT HIM PICTURES SHOWING THE GLARE ISSUE. THERE WAS NEVER ANY FURTHER COMMUNIC

Seats
Filed Aug 16, 20137,000 milesCA

THE HEADLINER IS FALLING IN MY CAR. I HAVE WAITED A MONTH TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED YET IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE BACK OF MY CHAIR IS ALSO FALLING. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 12, 2013NV

VERY UPSET TOYOTA CUSTOMER, PURCHASED SHOWROOM 2013 TOYOTA AVALON WITH HEADLINER IN THE REAR DROOPED DOWN. THIS IS BRAND NEW...I WAS TOLD THAT PROBABLY SOME KIDS HAVE PULLED THE HEADLINER DOWN WHILE IN SHOWROOM. WAITING FOR RESOLUTION I DECIDED TO READ ON COMMON PROBLEMS AND LONE BEHOLD! TOYOTA, YOU HAD BETTER GET THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT DUE TO HEADLINER OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW. HOW FAST THIS IS RESOLVED IS GOING TO DETERMINE HOW I SPEAK ABOUT TOYOTA AND FUTURE PURCHASES! GET AFTER IT! NEXT UP, SEAT BACK COVERS ALSO WAS BLAMED ON KIDS IN SHOWROOM PULLING THEM DOWN. I LOOKED AT THE DESIGN AND SEE HOW SORRY THE ENGINEERING IS. TOYOTA, NEED FIX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. A GOOD ONE! I WILL REPORT THIS TO THE NEWS IF NOT RECTIFIED. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 3, 20132,504 milesMS

SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE HUNG UP WHEN PULLED OUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE SEAT LATCH. WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE COMPARTMENT IN THE VEHICLE BODY. HANGING LOOSE. WILL NOT ADJUST TO YOUR BODY. WOULD NOT LOCK UP IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Structure
Filed Aug 1, 2013CA

TOYOTA CORP CONTINUES TO SELL 2013 TOYOTA AVALONS WITH A KNOWN DEFECT TO THE HEADLINER. THE HEADLINER TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SAGS AND MAY POTENTIALLY OBSTRUCT THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING. IT IS APPARENT AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE THAT TOYOTA IS FULLY AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT FAILED TO CONTACT DEALERSHIPS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. PER TOYOTA THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX AT THIS TIME AND MY VEHICLE HAS REMAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PAST 4 DAYS. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 29, 2013966 milesCT

HEADLINER IS FALLING DOWN IN BACK BY REAR WINDOW. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA. I AM TOLD TOYOTA IS WORKING ON A FIX FOR IT BUT IT WILL BE A WHILE BEFORE A RESOLUTION IS FOUND. AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE TOYOTA TACKED UP THE HEADLINER IN THE MIDDLE WHERE IT WAS FALLING DOWN. A FEW DAYS LATER THE HEADLINER BEGAN TO FALL DOWN ON BOTH SIDES WHERE IT WAS TACKED UP BY THE REAR WINDOW. I WAS THEN TOLD, THEY WERE AFRAID THAT WOULD HAPPEN. TOYOTA HAS NO RESOLUTION AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE HEADLINER OR VEHICLE. I AM TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AS THEY CANNOT REPAIR THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE STILL SELLING VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT TO UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS. ALTHOUGH YOU CAN STILL SEE OUT THE REAR WINDOW, WHO KNOWS FOR HOW MUCH LONGER BEFORE IT JUST GIVES WAY. AS TOYOTA WILL NOT/OR CAN NOT REPAIR THIS ISSUE, AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE HEADLINER OR THE VEHICLE THEY REALLY AREN'T HONORING THE WARRANTY EITHER. IN AN EFFORT TO TRY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, I COULD NOT GET PAST THE CLAIM REPRESENTATIVE AT HEADQUARTERS NOR THE FACTORY REP. EVIDENTLY, MANAGEMENT WILL NOT SPEAK WITH CUSTOMERS AND NO ONE WILL RESPOND BY E-MAIL. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 18, 20133,800 milesFL

MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE WITHOUT RESULTS. THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD ABOUT 10 FEET,AND WAS STOPPED ON IMPACT BY A PICNIC TABLE AND SIDE OF A BUILDING. SHE RECEIVED A WHIPLASH INJURY, RECENTLY DIAGNOSED AS HERNIATED DISKS, AND IS CURRENTLY UNDER MEDICAL CARE.DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO THE GRILL AND CRUMPLE ZONE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR.THE INSURANCE ASSESSED THE DAMAGE AT $7,000.00, AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jul 12, 2013100 milesNC

THERE IS A GLARE IN THE REAR WINDOW THAT TENDS TO ALWAYS HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON VISIBILITY. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY 40 YEARS OF DRIVING AND OWNING OVER 20 VEHICLES. IT SEEMS THE ANGLE OF THE WINDOW COMBINED WITH THE LIGHT GRAY REAR DECK MATERIAL CREATES THE DISTRACTING REFLECTION/GLARE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE PORT INSTALLED TINTING THAT CAUSED THE REFLECTION, BUT NOW I AM BEGINNING TO THINK IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. ALSO, I SEE YOU NEED MY NAME AND PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THIS FORM AND YOU ARE PROMISING TO KEEP IT CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVATE. NOW HOW CAN ANYONE TRUST ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY THESE DAYS TO PROTECT INFORMATION WHEN ONE OF THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF OUR GOVERNMENT SEEMS TO BE SPYING ON ALL THE CITIZENS AND ACTING LIKE THE USSR CIRCA 1960? *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 5, 2013200 milesTX

SERIOUS PROBLEM: 2013 TOYOTA AVALON DASHBOARD TRIM CAUSES A DANGEROUS REFLECTION OF SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY INTO DRIVER'S EYES. DURING MID-DAY SUN, BLINDING BEAMS OF SUNLIGHT BOUNCE OFF SEVERAL AREAS OF THE MIRRORED-CHROME-COLORED PLASTIC TRIM THAT SURROUNDS THE DASHBOARD AND WRAPS AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SUNLIGHT IS REFLECTED OFF CHROME TRIM BENEATH THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER. BLINDING SUNLIGHT ALSO REFLECTS OFF TRIM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND OTHER POINTS ACROSS THE TRIM. DEPENDING ON TIME OF DAY AND DIRECTION OF CAR, SUNLIGHT BOUNCES OFF DIFFERENT PLACES ON THE TRIM. BECAUSE THE TRIM IS BEVELED, INSTEAD OF A VERTICAL SURFACE, IT FOCUSES THE SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY BACK INTO THE DRIVER''S EYES. DRIVERS NEED TO REGULARLY GLANCE DOWN AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND REFLECTED SUNLIGHT FROM THAT AREA AND OTHER SECTIONS ON THE DASH IS DANGEROUSLY DISTRACTING. ACCIDENTS COULD OCCUR AS A RESULT OF DRIVERS BEING MOMENTARILY BLINDED BY THEIR DASHBOARD TRIM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPLACE THE MIRRORED SURFACE OF THE TRIM, AS WELL AS OTHER CHROME TRIM ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND AROUND THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS, WITH A DARK-COLORED TRIM OR MATTE, NON-REFLECTIVE SURFACE. DESPITE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS POSTED AT THE NHTSA AND MY DIRECT CONTACT WITH TOYOTA MOTORS USA, THE COMPANY REFUSED TO OFFER A SOLUTION AND/OR TEMPORARY WORK-AROUND FOR RETRO-FITTING THE TRIM WITH A NON-REFLECTIVE SURFACE. THE COMPANY TOLD ME IT DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH SUNLIGHT REFLECTING INTO DRIV

Structure
Filed Jul 2, 2013600 milesNJ

HEADLINER OF THE CAR IS PEELING FROM THE REAR. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP I.E. HOLMAN TOYOTA, MT. LAUREL, NJ, THEY ADVISED THEY WOULD ORDER THE NEW HEADLINER AND REPLACE THE SAME. WENT TODAY JULY 2ND, 2013, HOLMAN TOYOTA ADVISED THE PEELING HEADLINER IS COMMON ISSUE IN THE 2013 AVALON AND TOYOTA HAS INSTRUCTED DEALERS NOT TO REPLACE THE HEADLINER AS REPLACING THE HEADLINER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. TOYOTA HAS ADVISED IT IS TRYING TO COME UP WITH A PERMANENT FIX VIA A "REPAIR" JOB, NOT ETA ON THE SAME YET. TILL TOYOTA COMES UP WITH A REPAIR I HAVE A PEELING HEADLINE WHICH CAN FALL ON HEAD WHILE I AM DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND TOYOTA IS JUST SITTING ON IT. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 2, 2013410 milesGA

THIS TOYOTA WAS PURCHASED WITH A SUNROOF TOP. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS WE NOTICED THE HEADLINER WAS COMING LOOSE FROM THE ROOF. WE NOTICED THAT WHEN YOU OPENED THE SUNROOF THE AIR ENTERING THE CAR MADE THE ROOF OR HEADLINER SHAKE AND MOVE AS IF TO MUCH AIR WAS GETTING UNDER IT CAUSING THE HEADLINER TO SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF. WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY TOLD US THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE HEADLINERS AND THAT NO PARTS WERE BEING REPLACED AT THIS TIME. I LOOK AT THIS AS A MAJOR FLAW AND THE ROOF COMING LOOSE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THE TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT. WE'VE HAD THE CAR TWO WEEKS SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE SAID O BY THE WAY THE ROOF MAY SEPARATE FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR. NO CALLS ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY TOLD US TO TAKE OUR CAR THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT RIGHT NOW. PLEASE TELL EVERYONE THE ROOF IN THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS AN TOYOTA IS NOT FIXING IT. IT'S UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER THAT THINGS LIKE THIS CAN HAPPEN AND PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT AND ARE STILL ALLOWED TO SELL THESE CAR IF YOU WANT TO BUY ONE TODAY. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 20, 2013CA

2013 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE INACCURATE SPEEDOMETER. *SMD AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS 2-3 MPH FAST. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, THAT WAS ACCEPTABLE.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jun 17, 2013450 milesNJ

I DROVE TO BALTIMORE, MD FROM CHERRY HILL, NJ ON 06/16/2013 AT SPEEDS VARYING FROM 45MPH - 75MPH. THE MOMENT I GOT ON TO NJ TURNPIKE, THE WIND AND ROAD NOISE WERE LOUD INSIDE THE CABIN. THE ENTIRE TIME IT SEEMED THE WINDOWS OF THE CAR WERE OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE A/C WAS ON SLOW, WINDOWS AND SUNROOF WERE CLOSED. (I HAVE TWO OLDER CARS I.E. HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2002 AND HONDA ACCORD 2005 WHICH HAVE LESS CABIN NOISE WHEN WINDOWS ARE CLOSED). CONSIDERING, THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR, HIGH END AND IS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY QUITE, I FIND IT A BIG SAFETY RISK AS THE NOISE IS DISTRACTING, BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO SEE IF THE WINDOWS WERE OPEN, DOORS WERE PROPERLY CLOSED AND SUN ROOF WASN'T OPEN / TILTED, ALL THE WHILE DISTRACTING ME FROM THE ROAD. A LOT OF THE NOISE SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM AROUND THE DOORS AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AT ONE POINT DURING MY JOURNEY THERE WAS A LOUD WHOOSHING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT WIND SHIELD AS IF THERE WAS NO SEAL / INSULATION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE BODY OF THE CAR. *TR

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Jun 13, 2013GA

FAILED COMPONENT IN THIS VEHICLE, AS WELL AS EVERY OTHER 2013 TOYOTA AVALON, HAS A DISTORTED REAR WINDOW AND ONE CANNOT GET A CLEAR VIEW OF WHAT IS BEHIND. ALL LINES ARE ZIG-ZAG AND EVERYTHING BEHIND IS FUZZY. THIS IS NOT A DISPUTE BETWEEN ONE CAR OWNER AND TOYOTA, BUT A DISPUTE THAT ENCOMPASSES EVERY 2013 TOYOTA AVALON AND IN WHICH THE NHTSA SHOULD TAKE INTEREST. I HAVE DOCUMENTS TO PROVE THAT ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THIS CAR 12/17/12 ON A RAINY, OVERCAST DAY. AFTER DELIVERY, I NOTICED THE WINDOW, AND THINKING IT COULD BE REPAIRED BY REPLACEMENT, TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER THEY CHECKED OTHER CARS ON THE LOT, FOUND ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FIELD SERVICE REP AND I MET AND HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. HE TOO, SAW THE PROBLEM. WE MET AGAIN, AND HE HAD MET WITH THE TECHNICAL PEOPLE IN JACKSONVILLE, AND NO CAR HAD A CLEAR WINDOW. HE STATED, IN WRITING, THAT HE WOULD PURSUE A RE-PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ADVISED TO GET A CASE NUMBER AND I DID SO. AFTER WORKING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WITH THE CASE MANAGER, HE INFORMED ME THAT ON MAY 17TH, THE DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE MANAGERS WERE MEETING AND ON MAY 20TH, HE WOULD CALL TO LET ME KNOW IF A WINDOW HAD BEEN RE-ENGINEERED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CORRECTION COULD NOT BE MADE, SO ARBITRATION PAPERS WERE SENT. AFTER PURSUING THIS, I WAS INFORMED I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ARBITRATION BECAUSE IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT NO MFG. SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PUT ON THE ROAD. A VERY EXPENSIVE CAR THAT N

Structure
Filed Jun 12, 2013AZ

DESIGN FLAW CHROME STRIP ON DASH CAUSES GLARE FROM SUN WHICH IS BLINDING WHEN DRIVING IN SUN AND POSSIBLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO RETINA. ESP BAD FOR SENIOR DRIVERS WHO HAS CATARACTS --[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 20132,500 milesTN

WHILE DRIVING FROM KNOXVILLE TN TO ATLANTA GA, ON A DOWNGRADE JUST OUTSIDE OF CHATTANOOGA ON INTERSTATE 75 I WENT TO USE THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT COME BACK. I HAD NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER AND ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD WAS I ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE IT OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, WHICH WAS CLEAR, AND WAIT UNTIL I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE FOR THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON IT'S OWN. I HAD TO USE THE GRASS AND GRAVEL JUST OFF THE EMERGENCY LANE TO HELP BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO TOYOTA OF KNOXVILLE, WHERE PURCHASED, AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. HAVE DRIVEN ANOTHER 500 MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT AND NO PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR WHAT HAPPENED HAS BEEN OFFERED BY TOYOTA. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 3, 201315 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN REFLECTION FROM THE CHROME ON THE DASHBOARD AND ARM REST DISTORTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15. UPDATED 07/16/13*LJ

Seats1 injured
Filed May 10, 2013GA

2013 AVALON TOURING ON APRIL 2013 EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR HASN'T BEEN VERY GOOD CONSIDERING THAT IT IS A NEW CAR. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE LEATHER ON THE BACK SEAT BUCKLING AND A STAIN THAT WAS ON THE HEADLINER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AREA BECAUSE OF A WATER LEAK FROM THE ROOF. IT WAS TAKEN TO CLINT'S AUTO TRIM TO CORRECT THE LEATHER. HE FELT IT WAS A WATER STAIN THAT WAS THE RESULT OF WATER LEAKING FROM AN AREA ON THE ROOF THAT WASN'T SEALED CORRECTLY. BASED ON WHAT WE HEARD FROM CLINT'S AUTO TRIM, WE TESTED THE CAR BY PLACING WATER ON THE CAR OVER THE AREA WHERE THE STAIN WAS PRESENT. IT REVEALED A NEW WATER STAIN ON THE HEADLINER. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO SERVICE ABOUT OUR FINDING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO STEPHEN'S AUTO GLASS TO FIX THE LEAK. THE STAIN ON THE HEADLINER WAS CLEANED. HOWEVER, THE STAIN CAN STILL BE SEEN. WE REQUESTED THAT THE HEADLINER BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE STAIN. HOWEVER, MY WIFE IS HAVING ISSUES WITH HER EYES BURNING AND NOSE RUNNING WHILE IN THE CAR DUE TO THE SMELL OF MILDEW. WE TURNED OUR CAR IN FOR SERVICE YESTERDAY TO GET THE HEADLINER REPLACED. NOW, THEY TELL US THAT THE HEADLINER IS TOO SHORT TO INSTALL. SO ANOTHER ONE WILL HAVE TO BE ORDERED. SO OUR CAR WILL HAVE STAY UNTIL TUESDAY. I AM HIGHLY UPSET THAT A BRAND NEW CAR HAS SO MANY ISSUES. FIRST, IT WAS THE LEATHER, THEN A WATER LEAK, AND THE HEADLINER IS TOO SHORT FROM THE FACTORY. PROBLEMS JUST CONTINUE TO STACK ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER. THE TOYOTA EXPERIENCE HARDLY LIVES UP WHAT IS STATED

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 4, 2013300 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE AN ENGINEER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND AGREED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TR

Visibility
Filed Mar 22, 2013LA

IN THE 2013 TOYOTA AVALON, DRIVER VISIBILITY IS DANGEROUSLY DISTORTED WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AT APPROACHING CARS (ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT), DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE NEW 2013 ENGINEERING DESIGN OF THE REAR GLASS MATERIAL, REAR GLASS CONTOUR AND ANGLE, TINTING, AND DEFROST STRIPS. ALL LIGHTS (ESPECIALLY VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC.) OBSERVED THROUGH THE REAR GLASS HAVE LONG, BRIGHT, VERTICAL LINES RADIATING AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM FROM THE MAIN LIGHT SOURCE VIEWED THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THESE VERTICAL LINES SHINING FROM ALL OF THE NUMEROUS LIGHT SOURCES OBSCURE THE REAR VIEW VISION, CAUSING CONFUSION FOR THE DRIVER IN MANY WAYS: 1) NOT BEING ABLE TO CORRECTLY JUDGE REAR CAR DISTANCE, 2) NOT BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE TYPES OF VEHICLES IN THE REAR, 3) NOT BEING ABLE TO CHANGE LANES SAFELY BECAUSE OF DISTORTIONS THROUGH THE REAR GLASS PANEL, 4) NOT BEING ABLE TO JUDGE HOW MANY VEHICLES ARE APPROACHING AND/OR PASSING, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, 5) CAUSING THE DRIVER TO STARE LONGER THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISCERN WHAT IS TAKING PLACE BEHIND WHICH TAKES THE DRIVER'S EYE OFF OF THE FRONT VISION FOR TOO LONG. ALTHOUGH THE BRIGHT VERTICAL LINES CAN BE SEEN MORE DISTINCTLY AT DUSK AND NIGHT, THEY ARE ALSO OBSERVABLE DURING THE DAYTIME IF THE VEHICLES COMING FROM BEHIND HAVE FRONT LIGHTS ON, AND/OR THE SUN SHINES ON THE CHROME. THESE RADIATING VERTICAL LINES TAKE ON THE COLOR OF THE MAIN LIGHT SOURCE SEEN FROM BEHIND SO THE

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2013 Toyota Avalon → · Every Avalon year → · How the figures are calculated →